Picking a backpack can become quite a daunting task given the variety of options on the market today. But before you fret, let us help out with your selection process by honing in on a few key elements. Start here, and let your own personal preference and usage help narrow down the universe. Volume Pack size isContinue reading

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Krystl Tonkin, Columbia’s PFG marketing specialist, has seen a lot of time in the backcountry. Growing up in Arizona, she spent her formative years fishing and hiking. We caught up with Krystl on a recent trip to Costa Rica – where she spent time deep sea fishing and surfing, as well as trekking through theContinue reading

Exercise makes you stronger. And for kids, once it becomes part of their daily routine, will provide benefits for their entire life. The best secret? Find things you can do together, even if you are both learning new skills. To foster that relationship, here are a few sure-fire tips that should help create a newContinue reading

A properly pitched tent can make or break your camping trip. Leave it flapping in the wind all day and you could return to a shredded tent or, worse yet, end up looking for one that blew away. Or if you pitch it in the wrong place, you may end up in the middle ofContinue reading

I’m not sure what it is, but there is something magical to me about subarctic climates. Over the past two years, I have been to Iceland twice, with a third trip coming in September. Everything about Iceland just seems to resonate with me from the craggy ice capped mountains to the boundless wide open spaces.Continue reading

As July leads into August, the heat and humidity become a constant nemesis. A trial to endure. If you’re fortunate you can escape by fleeing to the closest closed air-conditioned environment: work, movie theater, idling car (PRO TIP: don’t do that). But you don’t have to let the summer sun rule the scene. Here a fewContinue reading

While most of us carry an electronic gadget that will easily predict the weather, the ability to quickly glance at the sky to determine weather could in is invaluable. While a barometer, altimeter, and a detailed weather report serve as great tools for predicting bad weather ahead, there are quite a few things you can tell just byContinue reading

We’ll give credit where it’s due: just-add-hot-water meals have infinitely improved since the sad days of Ramen and college dorms. But that shouldn’t mean you only eat ready-made dishes on multi-day backpacking or paddling trips. In fact, your first night should be dedicated to true decadence. Think steak with Argentine chimichurri sauce, cooked peppers, cheese, andContinue reading

Make no mistake, craft beer is strong in the States – and it’s a trend that (much to the macrobrewer’s irritation) will probably never lag. Some argue that the aluminum actually protects the beer by hiding it from sunlight, which can affect the taste of some brews. But we just appreciate that it’s easier thanContinue reading

Summer is officially here. The warmer temps and long hours of daylight create a bit more time for most of us to kick back, relax, and read a book, whether backpacking or simply lounging by the lake. Here are some of our favorite adventure reads. A Walk In The Woods, by Bill Bryson With theContinue reading

Remember the long awaited days of summer vacation? Sitting in class waiting for finals to end, making plans with friends for a solid three months. Or maybe you just planned to watch TV and hang by the pool June through August. Either way, we get nostalgic thinking about summers past. For now, we will settle for longContinue reading